U.S. patent application number 09/859068 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for safety closure and container.
Invention is credited to Montgomery, Gary V..
Application Number | 20010019033 09/859068 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26757449 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010019033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montgomery, Gary V. |
September 6, 2001 |
Safety closure and container
Abstract
A safety closure for use on a container neck portion, providing
an end wall and a side wall depending from the end wall. The side
wall has at least one lug projecting therefrom near a lower end
thereof, which is engageable with at least one lug-receiving recess
provided in the container neck portion. A sealing plug depends from
the end wall and is sealingly engageable with a dispensing orifice
provided in the container neck portion. At least one spring member
depends from the end wall and are resiliently engageable with the
container neck portion to bias the safety closure away from the
container neck portion.
Inventors: |
Montgomery, Gary V.;
(Evansville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN F. SALAZAR
MIDDLETON & REUTLINGER
2500 BROWN & WILLIAMSON TOWER
LOUISVILLE
KY
40202
US
|
Family ID: |
26757449 |
Appl. No.: |
09/859068 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09859068 |
May 16, 2001 |
|
|
|
09131631 |
Aug 10, 1998 |
|
|
|
60075932 |
Feb 25, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/332 ;
215/222; 215/301; 215/342 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/332 ;
215/301; 215/342; 215/222 |
International
Class: |
B65D 041/06 |
Claims
1. A safety closure and container combination, comprising: a
container having a body portion and neck portion, said body portion
defining a cavity therein, said neck portion having a dispensing
orifice in an upper end thereof, said dispensing orifice
communicating with said cavity through a passageway in said neck
portion, said neck portion having at least one lug-receiving recess
therein and a camming portion on an exterior wall of said neck
portion, said lug receiving recess spaced from and below said
camming portion; a safety closure having an end wall and a
depending annular side wall, said side wall having at least one lug
projecting therefrom, said at least one lug being engageable with
said at least one lug-receiving recess in said container neck
portion, a sealing element depending downward from said end wall
and being sealingly engageable with said container neck portion,
and at least one spring member being resiliently engageable with
said camming portion on said container neck to bias said safety
closure away from said container neck portion, said at least one
spring member spaced outwardly from said sealing element.
2. The safety closure and container of claim 1 said at least one
spring member being comprised of a plurality of spring members,
each of said plurality of spring members resiliently engageable
with said camming portion.
3. The safety closure and container of claim 1, said sealing
element engaging an inner surface of said dispensing orifice.
4. The safety closure and container of claim 1 wherein said camming
portion of said container neck portion includes a frusto-conical
portion thereof on said exterior of said neck and further wherein
said container neck portion includes an upright portion which
contacts said sealing element.
5. The safety closure and container of claim 1, said sealing
element engaging an inner surface of said dispensing orifice.
6. A safety closure and a container, comprising: a container neck
portion on said container, said container neck portion having at
least one lug-receiving recess therein, a dispensing orifice and a
camming portion on an exterior wall of said container neck portion,
said lug receiving recess spaced from and below said camming
portion on said container neck portion; said safety closure having
an end wall, a side wall depending from said end wall, said side
wall having at least one lug projecting therefrom, said at least
one lug being engageable with said at least one lug-receiving
recess of said container neck portion, a sealing element depending
from said endwall and being sealingly engageable with said
container neck portion, and at least one spring member being
resiliently engageable with said camming portion to bias said
safety closure away from said container neck portion, said at least
one spring member spaced outwardly from said sealing element.
7. A safety closure and a container, comprising: a container neck
on a container, said container neck having a plurality of
lug-receiving recesses therein, a dispensing orifice and a camming
portion on an exterior wall of said container neck portion, said
lug receiving recesses spaced from and below said camming portion
on said container neck portion; said safety closure having an end
wall, and a depending annular side wall, said side wall having a
plurality of lugs projecting therefrom, said lugs being engageable
with said lug-receiving recesses of said container neck portion, a
continuous annular sealing element depending from said end wall and
being sealingly engageable with said container neck portion, and a
plurality of spring members being resiliently engageable with said
camming portion to bias said safety closure away from said
container neck portion, said at least one spring member spaced
outwardly from said sealing element.
8. The safety closure of claim 7, said sealing element engaging an
inner surface of said dispensing orifice.
9. A safety closure and a container, comprising: a container neck
on a container, said container neck having a plurality of
lug-receiving recesses therein, a dispensing orifice and a camming
portion on an exterior wall of said container neck portion, said
lug receiving recesses spaced from and below said camming portion
on said container neck portion; said safety closure having an end
wall, and a depending annular side wall, said side wall having a
plurality of lugs projecting therefrom, said lugs being engageable
with said lug-receiving recesses of said container neck portion, a
continuous annular sealing element depending from said end wall and
being sealingly engageable with said container neck portion, and a
plurality of spring members being resiliently engageable with said
camming portion to bias said safety closure away from said
container neck portion, said at least one spring member spaced
outwardly from said sealing element; wherein said sealing element
engages an inner surface of said dispensing orifice.
10. A safety closure and a container, comprising: a container neck
portion on said container, said container neck portion having at
least one lug-receiving recess therein; a dispensing orifice and a
camming portion on an exterior wall of said container neck portion;
said lug-receiving recess spaced from and below said camming
portion on said container neck portion; said safety closure having
an end wall, a side wall depending from said end wall, said side
wall having at least one lug projecting therefrom, said at least
one lug being engageable with said at least one lug receiving
recess of said container neck portion, a sealing element depending
from said end wall and being sealingly engageable with an outer
surface of said container neck portion, said sealing element
including a sleeve portion depending from said end wall and a
sealing bead projecting inwardly from said sleeve ; and at least
one spring member being resiliently engageable with said camming
portion to bias said safety closure away from said container neck
portion; said at least one spring member spaced outwardly from said
sealing element.
11. The safety closure of claim 10, said at least one lug being
moveable within said at least one lug-receiving recess between a
first position and a second position, said safety closure being
removable from said container neck portion when said at least one
lug is in said first position.
12. The safety closure of claim 11, said at least one spring member
biasing said at least one lug towards a third position of said at
least one lug when said at least one lug is in said second
position, said at least one lug being seated within an upturned
portion of said at least one lug-receiving recess when said at
least one lug is in said third position.
13. The safety closure of claim 10, said at least one lug including
four lugs being equidistantly spaced around said side wall.
14. The safety closure of claim 10, wherein said camming portion of
said container neck portion includes a frusto-conical portion
thereof on said exterior of said neck and further wherein said
container neck portion includes an upright portion which contacts
said sealing element.
15. The safety closure of claim 10, said sealing element engaging
an inner surface of said dispensing orifice.
16. A safety closure for use on a container, comprising: a
container neck portion on said container, said container neck
portion having at least one lug-receiving recess therein, a
dispensing orifice and a camming portion on an exterior wall of
said container neck portion, said lug receiving recess on said
container neck portion spaced from and below said camming portion;
said safety closure having: an end wall; a side wall depending from
said end wall, said side wall having at least one lug projecting
therefrom, said at least one lug being engageable with said at
least one lug-receiving recess of said container neck portion; at
least one spring member being resiliently engageable with said
camming portion on said exterior wall to bias said safety closure
away from said container neck portion; a sealing element including
a sleeve portion depending from said end wall and a sealing bead
projecting from said sleeve portion, said sealing bead engaging an
outer surface of said container neck portion.
17. A safety closure and container combination, comprising: a
container having a body portion and neck portion, said body portion
defining a cavity therein, said neck portion having a dispensing
orifice in an upper end thereof, said dispensing orifice
communicating with said cavity through a passageway in said neck
portion, said neck portion having at least one lug-receiving recess
therein and a camming portion on an exterior wall of said neck
portion, said lug receiving recess spaced from and below said
camming portion; a safety closure having an end wall, a side wall
depending from said end wall, said side wall having at least one
lug projecting therefrom, said at least one lug being engageable
with said at least one lug-receiving recess in said container neck
portion, a sealing element depending downward from said end wall
and being sealingly engageable with said container neck portion
said sealing element comprising a sealing bead, said sealing bead
extending inwardly and engaging an outer surface of said container
neck portion, and at least one spring member being resiliently
engageable with said camming portion on said container neck to bias
said safety closure away from said container neck portion, said at
least one spring member spaced outwardly from said sealing
element.
18. The safety closure and container combination of claim 17, said
at least one lug-receiving recess being defined by at least one
bayonet projecting outwardly from said container neck portion, said
at least one lug being moveable within said at least one
lug-receiving recess between a first position and a second
position, said safety closure being removable from said container
neck portion when said at least one lug is in said first
position.
19. The safety closure and container combination of claim 18, said
at least one spring member biasing said at least one lug towards a
third position of said at least one lug when said at least one lug
is in said second position.
20. The safety closure and container combination of claim 19, said
at least one bayonet including an upright portion, an overhead
portion and a latch portion, said upright portion, said overhead
portion and said latch portion defining an upturned portion of said
at least one lug-receiving recess, said at least one lug being
seated within said upturned portion when said at least one lug is
in said third position.
21. The safety closure and container combination of claim 17, said
at least one lug including four lugs being equidistantly spaced
around said side wall.
22. The safety closure and container combination of claim 17, said
at least one spring member being comprised of a plurality of spring
members, each of said plurality of spring members resiliently
engageable with said camming portion.
23. The safety closure and container combination of claim 17, said
sealing element engaging an inner surface of said dispensing
orifice.
24. A safety closure and container, comprising: a container neck
portion on said container, said container neck portion having a
plurality of lug-receiving recesses therein, a dispensing orifice,
a camming portion therebetween and formed on an exterior wall of
said container neck portion and an upstanding cylindrical portion
extending upwards from said camming portion; said safety closure
having: an end wall; a side wall depending from said end wall, said
side wall having a plurality of lugs projecting therefrom, said
plurality of lugs being engageable with said plurality of
lug-receiving recesses of said container neck portion; at least one
spring member being resiliently engageable with said camming
portion to bias said safety closure away from said container neck
portion; a sealing element depending downward from said end wall
and being sealingly engageable with said container neck portion,
said sealing element comprising a sealing bead, said sealing bead
engaging an exterior surface of said upstanding cylindrical
portion; said at least one spring member depending from said
closure end wall.
25. The closure and container of claim 24 wherein said at least one
spring member is comprised of a plurality of spring members which
are spaced outwardly from said sealing element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from my U.S. Utility
application Ser. No. 09/131,631 filed Aug. 10, 1998 which claims
priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/075,932 entitled "Safety Closure and Container" filed on Feb.
25, 1998, said Application being incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to safety closures for use on
containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
safety closure for use on a container, wherein the safety closure
and the container are each provided with engageable locking means
which cooperate to seal the container and to inhibit access thereto
by individuals of tender years.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] It is well known in the prior art to sealingly affix a
safety closure upon the neck portion of a container to prevent
unwanted spillage of the contents of the container therefrom.
Typically, a gasket liner is positioned within the safety closure
which sealingly engages an upper portion of the container neck
portion. Alternatively, a sealing plug may be integrally-formed
within the safety closure which resiliently engages the upper
portion of the container neck portion to define a sealing fit
therebetween. It is therefore desirable to provide a safety closure
for use on a container neck portion, wherein the safety closure is
sealingly affixable to the container neck portion to prevent
spillage of the contents of the container therefrom.
[0006] It is even further known in the prior art for the safety
closure and the container neck portion to each include engageable
locking means which cooperate to inhibit removal of the safety
closure from the container neck portion by individuals of tender
years. It is therefore further desirable to provide a safety
closure for use on a container neck portion, wherein the safety
closure is sealingly affixable to the container neck portion to
prevent spillage of the contents of the container therefrom, and
wherein the safety closure and the container each include
engageable locking means to inhibit removal of the safety closure
from the container neck portion by individuals of tender years.
[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,289 to Landen, and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,449,078 to Akers, each teach a safety closure device
being affixable to a container neck portion, wherein the safety
closure includes a continuous plug which is engageable with the
container neck portion to define a sealing fit therebetween. The
continuous plug also serves to bias the safety closure outwardly
from the container neck portion, thereby cooperating with locking
means provided on the safety closure and on the container neck
portion to inhibit removal of the safety closure from the container
by individuals of tender years. However, it has been observed that,
where a common element is used as both biasing means and sealing
means, seal integrity is oftentimes breached due to the flexure of
the common element which is necessary to provide the bias. Thus, it
is further desirable to provide a safety closure for sealingly
engaging a container neck portion, wherein the safety closure
includes biasing means which are separate and independent from
sealing means provided thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is for a safety closure for use on a
container, wherein the safety closure is provided with separate and
independent biasing means and sealing means. The safety closure is
provided with at least one lug which engages a bayonet provided on
a neck portion of the container and which is biased in a "locked"
position on the container neck portion by at least one spring
member. The spring member flexes against an outer surface of the
container neck portion to provide an upward biasing force to the
safety closure, thereby seating the lug into the bayonet and
requiring the user to depress the safety closure downwardly against
the spring member bias to unseat the lug. The sealing means is
preferably an integral plug which is sized to engage an opening in
the container neck portion. Flexure of the spring member does not
affect the sealing engagement of the plug within the opening.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety
closure for use on a container neck portion, wherein the safety
closure is sealingly affixable to the container neck portion to
prevent spillage of the contents of the container therefrom.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
safety closure for use on a container neck portion, wherein the
safety closure is sealingly affixable to the container neck portion
to prevent spillage of the contents of the container therefrom, and
wherein the safety closure and the container each include
engageable locking means to inhibit removal of the safety closure
from the container neck portion by individuals of tender years.
[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a safety closure for sealingly engaging a container neck
portion, wherein the safety closure includes biasing means which
are separate and independent from sealing means provided
thereby.
[0012] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon reading the ensuing detailed description in conjunction with
the drawings and with reference to the appended claims.
[0013] A safety closure according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes an end wall and a side wall depending
from the end wall. The side wall has at least one lug projecting
therefrom near a lower end thereof, which is engageable with at
least one lug-receiving recess provided in the container neck
portion. A sealing plug depends from the end wall and is sealingly
engageable with a dispensing orifice provided in the container neck
portion. At least one spring member depends from the end wall and
is resiliently engageable with the container neck portion to bias
the safety closure away from the container neck portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts,
and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety closure according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in spaced
relation to a container neck portion according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the container neck portion of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of the container neck portion of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a section view of the container neck portion of
FIG. 1, shown along section line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the safety closure of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a section view of the safety closure of FIG. 1,
shown along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a section view of the safety closure of FIG. 1,
shown along section line 7-7 of FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view of the safety closure of FIG. 1 shown
affixed to the container neck portion of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a section view of the safety closure of FIG. 1
shown affixed to the container neck portion of FIG. 1, and shown
along section line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a section view of a safety closure according to
an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a section view of the safety closure of FIG. 10
shown affixed to the container neck portion of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a detail section view of a sealing region of the
safety closure of FIG. 10 shown affixed to the container neck
portion of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a detail section view of a sealing region of a
safety closure according to another alternative embodiment of the
present invention shown affixed to the container neck portion of
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a section view of a safety closure according to
another embodiment of the present invention shown affixed to the
container neck portion of FIG. 1; and,
[0029] FIG. 15 is a section view of a safety closure according to
another embodiment of the present invention shown affixed to a
container neck portion according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a container 50 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, only an upper
portion of which is shown in the Figures, includes a cylindrical
body 52 defining a cavity 53 therein for receiving and storing
therein a substance, such as, for example, a liquid, dry powder, or
a plurality of pills, capsules, tablets or the like. A cylindrical
neck portion 54 projects -axially upwardly from the body 52 and is
connected to the body 52 by a frusto-conical shoulder 55. A
frusto-conical camming portion 56 projects inwardly and upwardly
from an upper end of the neck portion 54 and terminates in an
upturned -cylindrical portion 59. The shoulder 55, the neck portion
54 and the camming portion 56 each include a passageway 55a, 54a,
56a, respectively, therethrough, thereby providing communication
between the body cavity 53 and a dispensing orifice 57 provided
through an upper end of the camming portion upturned cylindrical
portion 59 to permit filling and dispensing of the substance to and
from within the cavity 53. The container 50 is preferably
constructed from any suitable heat-setting, moldable polymer, such
as, for example, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene or the
like, and is formed by any suitable process, such as, for example,
injection-molding or the like.
[0031] The neck portion 54 includes at least one integrally-formed,
radially-raised bayonet 60, and preferably, four bayonets 60
annularly spaced equidistantly around an outer perimeter of the
neck portion 54, near the shoulder 55 and raised radially outwardly
therefrom a preselected distance. The bayonets 60 may be
integrally-formed with and connected to one another by an annular
band 60a raised radially outwardly from the neck portion 54
coextensively with the bayonets 60 along a lower portion thereof
near the shoulder 55.
[0032] Each bayonet 60 includes an axial upright portion 70
projecting upwardly from the annular band 60a away from the body 52
and an annular overhead portion 72 projecting annularly from said
upright portion 70 in a backwardly (that is, counter-clockwise,
when viewed from above) direction. The overhead portion 72 is
spaced from the annular band 60a by a preselected distance and
terminates in a latch portion 74 projecting downwardly towards the
annular band 60a. The latch portion 74 is annularly spaced from the
upright portion 70 by a preselected distance. The annular band 60a,
the upright portion 70, the overhead portion 72 and the latch
portion 74 are preferably integrally-molded and are raised radially
outwardly from the container neck portion 54 by a preselected
distance.
[0033] The annular band 60a cooperates with the overhead portion 72
of each bayonet 60 to define a lower radial recess 62 therebetween.
An upwardly stepped portion 61 of the annular band 60a projects
axially upwardly therefrom towards the overhead portion 72 and is
spaced annularly backwardly from the upright portion 70 of each
bayonet 60 to define a lug-receiving recess 64 between a lower rail
74a of the latch portion 74 and an upper rail 61 a of the annular
band stepped portion 61. Where more than one bayonet 60 is provided
on the container neck portion 54, the annular band stepped portion
61 may be integral with the upright portion 70 of each bayonet 60.
The lower radial recess 62 communicates with an upper portion of
the container neck portion 54 by the lug-receiving recess 64, which
is sized to slidingly receive one of the at least one lugs 19
therein. The upright portion 70 of each bayonet 60 cooperates with
the overhead portion 72 and with the latch portion 74 thereof to
define an upturned recessed portion 63 being surrounded on three
sides thereof by the raised bayonet 60 and being in communication
with the lower radial recess 62.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5-7, a safety closure 10
for use on the container 50 is of an integral construction and
includes an end wall 12, a cylindrical skirt 14 depending
downwardly from an outer perimeter of the end wall 12, an
outwardly-flared continuous annular plug 16 depending downwardly
from an underside surface of the end wall 12, and at least one
spring member 20 depending downwardly from the underside surface of
the end wall 12 and spaced radially outwardly from the plug 16 a
preselected distance. Alternatively, the at least one spring member
20 may project inwardly and downwardly from the closure cylindrical
skirt 14. Preferably, eight spring members 20 are provided and are
annularly spaced equidistantly outwardly around an outer perimeter
of the plug 16, defining narrow annular spaces 20a therebetween.
The safety closure 10 is preferably constructed from any suitable
heat-setting, moldable polymer, such as, for example, polyester,
polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, and is formed by any
suitable process, such as, for example, injection-molding or the
like. An outer surface 18 of the skirt 14 may be provided with
axial grooves, knurls, ridges, or other surface texturing to permit
easy gripping and rotation of the safety closure 10.
[0035] At least one lug 19 is integrally-molded with, and projects
radially inwardly from, an inner annular surface of the skirt 14
near a lower end 15 thereof. More particularly, one lug 19 is
provided for each of the at least one bayonets 60 provided on the
container neck portion 54. Preferably, four lugs 19 are provided
and are annularly spaced equidistantly around an outer perimeter of
the skirt 14 to fit between the bayonets 60, and more particularly,
to fit within the lug-receiving recesses 64 defined by the bayonets
60. Each lug 19 is sized and shaped to be slidingly received within
the container bayonet lug-receiving recess 64, the lower recess 62
and the upturned portion 63 of the lower recess 62.
[0036] With additional reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the safety
closure 10 is affixed to the container 50 (and particularly, to the
container neck portion 54) by aligning the safety closure 10 with
the container neck portion 54 such that the lugs 19 are aligned
with their respective lug-receiving recesses 64. The safety closure
10 is then depressed axially downwardly onto the container neck
portion 54 such that each lug-receiving recess 64 receives their
respective lug 19 therein. The safety closure 10 is then
simultaneously moved axially downwardly and radially forwardly
(that is, clockwise, when viewed from above) such that the lugs 19
simultaneously travel within their respective lug-receiving
recesses 64 and into their respective lower recesses 62. At this
point, the annular plug 16 has been received downwardly into the
orifice 57 of the upturned portion 59 and thereby forms a sealing
fit with an inner annular surface of the upturned portion 59 and
with an inner annular surface of the camming portion passageway
62a, which may be provided with a slight inward radial taper
downwardly away from the orifice 57 to prevent the plug 16 from
becoming stuck therein.
[0037] The spring members 20 depend downwardly from the end wall 12
a sufficient distance (and the lugs 19 are spaced from the end wall
12 a sufficient distance) such that, as the lugs 19 travel
downwardly within their respective lug-receiving recesses 64 and
into their respective lower recesses 62, the spring members 20 abut
an outer surface of the camming portion 56 and are flexed radially
outwardly thereby against their natural resilience to remain in a
substantially-downward orientation. The camming portion 56 thereby
provides an axially-upward biasing force to the safety closure 10,
biasing the lugs 19 upwardly and outwardly of their respective
lug-receiving recesses 64 along an angled upper rail 74a thereof
define by the latch portion 74. The user prevents unwanted lifting
and removal of the safety closure 10 from the container neck
portion 54 by continuing to apply a downward axial force to the
safety closure 10 against the upward bias of the spring members 20
at all times during which the lugs 19 are positioned in the
lug-receiving recesses 64. If the user removes the downward axial
force from the safety closure 10 while the lugs 19 are positioned
within the lug-receiving recesses 64, the upward biasing force will
lift the lugs 19 away from annular band 60a until the lugs 19 abut
the upper rails 74a, at which point the upward biasing force will
cause the lugs 19 to slide along the rails 74a upwardly and
backwardly, forcing the safety closure 10 off of the container
50.
[0038] However, once the safety closure 10 has been depressed
downwardly a sufficient axial distance such that the lugs 19 are
positioned within their respective lower recesses 62, the safety
closure 10 is rotated forwardly a preselected distance such that
the lugs 19 are positioned axially downwardly adjacent their
respective lower recess upright portions 63. In response to the
user's removing the downward axial force from the safety closure
10, the upward biasing force provided by the spring members 20
lifts the lugs 19 axially upwardly away from the annular band 60a
and seats the lugs 19 within their respective lower recess upright
portions 63. Removal rotation of the safety closure 10 is thereby
prevented while the lugs 19 are seated within their respective
lower recess upright portions 63 by an abutment 69 defined by the
latch portion 74 of the bayonet 60.
[0039] Removal of the safety closure 10 from the container 50 is
accomplished by depressing the safety closure 10 downwardly against
the upward biasing force provided by the spring members 20 a
sufficient distance to unseat the lugs 19 from within the lower
recess upright portions 63 and to position the lugs 19 within their
respective lower recesses 62. The safety closure 10 is then rotated
backwardly a sufficient distance such that the lugs 19 are no
longer positioned axially downwardly from their respective lower
recess upright portions 63, but are instead positioned axially
downwardly from their respective lug-receiving recesses 64 and
downwardly adjacent the angled rails 74a thereof. The user's
releasing the downward force opposing the spring member biasing
force lifts the safety closure 10 axially upwardly relative to the
container 50, thereby positioning the lugs 19 within their
respective lug-receiving recesses 64 and to travel upwardly therein
along the angled lower rails 74a and off of the container neck
portion 54.
[0040] The engagement of the annular plug 16 with the inner surface
of the camming portion 56 provides an efficient, fluid-impervious
seal therebetween which is not substantially negatively affected by
flexure of the spring members 20 against the container neck camming
portion 56. Because the spring members 20 are separate from the
annular plug 16, the annular plug 16 does not need to flex to
provide a biasing force, thereby maintaining the sealing fit
between the annular plug 16 and the container neck portion 54
during affixing and removing the safety closure 10 therefrom.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 10-12, a safety closure 110
according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is
shown affixed to the container 50 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof hereinabove described, wherein the safety closure
110 according to the present embodiment includes many components in
common with the safety closure 10 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof hereinabove described, and wherein like reference
numerals are intended to represent like components. However, the
container 50 further includes an extended upturned cylindrical
portion 159 having an outer sealing surface 159a which is sized to
sealingly engage a continuous sealing bead 117 projecting radially
inwardly from a lower end of a continuous sealing collar 116
provided on the safety closure 110. According to the present
embodiment, the sealing collar 116 depends downwardly from the top
wall 12 of the safety closure 110, is positioned radially inwardly
from the plurality of spring members 20 and is spaced
circumferentially therearound. The spring members 20 are permitted
to flex as necessary to provide the aforementioned upward biasing
force without more than nominally affecting the sealing engagement
between the sealing bead 117 and the outer surface 159a of the
container extended upturned cylindrical portion 159.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 13, a safety closure 210 according to
another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown
affixed to the container 50 according to the preferred embodiment
hereof hereinabove described, wherein the safety closure 210
according to the present embodiment includes many components in
common with the safety closure 10 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof hereinabove described, and wherein like reference
numerals are intended to represent like components. However, the
container 50 further includes an extended upturned cylindrical
portion 259 having an outer sealing surface 259a which is sized to
sealingly engage a continuous sealing bead 217 projecting radially
inwardly from a lower end of a continuous sealing collar 216
provided on the safety closure 210. Preferably, the sealing collar
216 depends downwardly from the top wall 12 of the safety closure
210. The plurality of spring members 220 depend downwardly from a
lower end of the sealing collar 216 and are spaced
circumferentially therearound. The spring members 220 are permitted
to flex as necessary to provide the aforementioned upward biasing
force without more than nominally affecting the sealing engagement
between the sealing bead 217 and the outer surface 259a of the
container extended upturned cylindrical portion 259.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 14, a safety closure 310 according to
another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown
affixed to the container 50 according to the preferred embodiment
hereof hereinabove described, wherein the safety closure 310
according to the present embodiment includes many components in
common with the safety closure 10 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof hereinabove described, and wherein like reference
numerals are intended to represent like components. However, the
safety closure 310 according to the present embodiment includes a
sealing bead 316 projecting inwardly from an inner surface of the
cylindrical skirt 314 which is size to sealing engage an outer
surface of the container neck portion 54. According to the present
embodiment, the sealing bead 314 is positioned axially above the at
least one lug 19, although the sealing bead 314 may be positioned
at any axial position along the cylindrical skirt 314 which permits
sealing engagement with a portion of the container neck portion 54.
The spring members 20 are permitted to flex as necessary to provide
the aforementioned upward biasing force without more than nominally
affecting the sealing engagement between the sealing bead 316 and
the outer surface of the container neck portion 54.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 15, a safety closure 410 according to
another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown
affixed to a container 450 according to the present embodiment
hereof, wherein the safety closure 410 and container 450 according
to the present embodiment includes many components in common with
the safety closure 10 and container 50 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof hereinabove described, and wherein like reference
numerals are intended to represent like components. However, the
safety closure 410 according to the present embodiment includes a
first sealing bead 416 projecting inwardly from an inner surface of
the cylindrical skirt 414 which is size to sealing engage a second
sealing bead 454a projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the
container neck portion 454. According to the present embodiment,
the first sealing bead 414 is positioned axially above the at least
one lug 19, although the first sealing bead 414 may be positioned
at any axial position along the cylindrical skirt 414 which permits
sealing engagement with the second sealing bead 454a of the
container neck portion 454. The spring members 20 are permitted to
flex as necessary to provide the aforementioned upward biasing
force without more than nominally affecting the sealing engagement
between the first sealing bead 416 and the container neck portion
454 second sealing bead 454a.
[0045] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of specific embodiments which are set forth in detail, it should be
understood that this is by illustration only and that the present
invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since alternative
embodiments not described in detail herein will become apparent to
those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly,
modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing
from either the spirit or the scope of the present invention as
described hereinabove.
* * * * *